Periodically operated aerosol dispenser



Aug. 30, 1966 R. L. WEBER m 33,269,692

PERIODICALLY OPERATED AEROSOL DISPENSER Filed Sept. 24, 1964 2Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.5A

INVENTOR. AOJERT' l. Wmm, 1

ATTORNEYS.

PERIODICALLY OPERATED AEROSOL DISPENSER Filed Sept. 24, 1.964 2Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.8

FIGJO FiG.9

INVENTOR. Aoesnr L. WfBER ZZ BY TM Jm yfifz ra ATTORNEYS- 3,269,602 C6Patented August 30, 1966 3,269,602 PERIODICALLY OPERATED AEROSOLDISPENSER Robert L. Weber III, New Canaan, onn., assignor to Time-MistInc., a corporation of Delaware Filed Sept. 24, 1964, Ser. No. 398,932 6Claims. (Cl. 222-70) This invention relates generally to fluid sprayingapparatus and more particularly to motor driven devices for the periodicand automatic dispensing of pressurized material from containers such asaerosol cans.

For many years aerosol containers with manually actuated valves havebeen used for discharging fine sprays of atomized liquids into theatmosphere. Such containers or cans contain aerosols in which the fluidto be dispensed is in association with a liquified gas. In the can is aspring closed valve with an upwardly projecting discharge stem carryinga spray nozzle in the form of a fingerpiece or button, the depression ofwhich opens the valve to effect the dispensing of the active ingredientand the carrier in the form of a fine mist. The valve mechanism may besuch that the spray is continuously discharged as long as the nozzle isheld depressed, or it may be of the metering type in which thedepression of the nozzle causes a single burst of spray. In recent yearsthere have been marketed devices for automatically operating the nozzlesof such aerosol cans at timed intervals such as one, five, fifteen ormore minutes. Such automatic actuators have used slow speed electricmotor units to periodically operate some form of mechanism that engagesthe valve nozzle or button fixed to the top of the tubular dischargestern of the valve mechanism.

The active ingredients in the sprays from such aerosol containers may beof various kinds such as an insecticide to control flying insects inhomes, eating places, food stores and greenhouses, an air purifier tosanitize and deodorize the air in hospitals, food stores, restaurantsand kennels, and a chemical to produce a fragrant odor such asevergreen, spice, chocolate, or hickory smoke useable in retail stores,specialty shops and food stores to aid in selling various products.

An object of the invention is the provision of an automatic sprayingmechanism in which a can of pressurized active ingredient is held in aframe so that a motor driven means can periodically actuate the valve ofthe pressurized can.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a mechanism in whicha resilient connector is employed to hold the can of pressurizedingredient in a bracket adjacent motor driven means for actuating thevalve of the pressurized can.

Still another object of the invention is to provide such a mechanism inwhich a connector cooperates with the standard form of aerosol can tosuspend it from a bracket adjacent motor driven means for actuating thevalve of the aerosol can.

Another object of the invention is to provide a connector for aerosolcans which includes means for cooperating with a hole in a bracket andseparate means for cooperating with structure of the can.

In one aspect of the invention, a horizontal plate may be connected to avertical plate forming a bracket adapted to be attached to a Wall. Thehorizontal plate may include an opening extending therethrough for thereception of a connector adapted to be attached to the top of a cancontaining a pressurized active ingredient.

In another aspect of the invention, the connector may comprise asemi-rigid, resilient body portion adapted to be forced through theopening in the horizontal plate, and it may have means extendingradially beyond the diameter of the opening in order to support the bodyportion of the connector on the horizontal plate.

In another aspect of the invention, the lower portion of the body may betubular in form and of such an outside diameter as to frictionallyengage the wall of the recess provided in conventional pressurized cans.Such cans are usually constructed with a top portion that is closed by arecessed cap, the outer edge of which is spun together with the top edgeof the can opening. Usually the recessed cap includes a central,upstanding, cylindrical portion providing an annular space between itand the outer wall of the recessed cap. The upstanding, cylindrical,central portion of the cap supports valve mechanism well known in theart which includes a depressible stem extending upwardly from thecentral portion.

In a further aspect of the invention, the lower end of the connector mayinclude inturned means having tooth means formed on its inner edge andadapted to grip the exterior of the tubular upstanding means supportingthe valve of the pressurized can.

In a still further aspect of the invention, the body member may includea two-part construction in which the lower part of the main body portionmay be compressible and have a radially outwardly extending lip adaptedto spring into a re-entrant angle of the cover plate of the pressurizedcan. A separate member may be provided having inturned means adapted togrip the central upstanding portion of the cap for the pressurized can.

In still another aspect of the invention, motorized means may beprovided for periodically actuating the valve stem of the pressurizedcan for dispensing predetermined amounts of active ingredient.

The above, other objects and novel features of the improved pressurizedcan supporting and actuating means will become apparent from thefollowing specification and accompanying drawings which are merelyexemplary.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view, partly in section, of apparatus embodyingthe principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the connector shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a modified form of the invention;

FIGS. 4 and 5 disclose a view of the disassembled connector of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5A is a plan view of the element shown in FIG. 5; and

FIGS. 6 to 10, inclusive, show other modified forms of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, the principles of the invention are shown asapplied to apparatus including bracket 10 having a vertical plate 11 onwhich is a lower flange 12. A horizontal plate 13 is fixed to plate 11and it includes a hole 14 extending therethrough.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a connector 15 may comprise a body portion16 made from spring steel or other suitable material. It is shown astubular in form having outwardly extending tabs 17 at spaced intervalsabout its upper end. The tabs 17 are shown as being inclined downwardly,the lower edges of tabs 17 contacting the top surface of plate 13. Thelower end of the body 16 is shown as being provided with inturned tabs18, the facing edges of which are provided with teeth 19. Referring toFIG. 1, the tabs 18 are shown as being inclined upwardly.

A can 20 of pressurized active ingredients adapted periodically to bedispensed is shown as being cylindrical in form, with a closed bottom 21and a truncated conical top portion 22. The top portion terminates in anedge 23 that is rolled or spun together with the outer periphery of aclosure cap 24 for the can 20. The cap 24 may include a re-entrantangular portion 25 and a central upstanding housing portion 26. Thehousing portion 26 is adapted to contain the usual valve mechanism ofsuch cans including a stem 27 that slidingly extends outwardly from thetop of housing 26.

The construction and arrangement of the parts are such that upon forcingthe connector through the hole 14 in plate 13, the tabs 17 engage plate13, and the walls of connector 15 frictionally engage the wall of hole14. Then, forcing the central housing 26 of can upward through the spacebetween tabs 18 causes the teeth 19 thereof to dig into and grip thecentral housing 26 to securely hold can 20 to plate 13.

In order periodically to actuate valve stem 27, a motorized means 28 maybe provided. It is shown schematically and may be mounted on plates 13,11, or in any other suitable manner. It may comprise a motor 29 that isconnected by a one-revolution clutch 30 to a cam shaft 31. A cam 32 maybe fixed to shaft 31 so that it acts on valve stem 27 to dispense apredetermined amount of the contents of can 20 each time it makes arevolution. By means well known in the art, the motor can beperiodically energized to cause a single revolution of cam 32 todispense a'charge of active ingredient from can 20.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, a two-part connector 33 is shown. Itincludes a main body 34 having a truncated conical portion 35 withspaced V-notched 36 to provide resilience thereof. The main body alsoincludes a portion 37 having an outside diameter less than that of thebase of the truncated conical portion 35, thereby providing a surface 38adapted to contact the top of plate 13 when attached to said plate.

The bottom of main body 34 includes an outwardly extending lip 39 and arecessed portion 40 for a purpose to be described later. Notches 41 areprovided in spaced relation about the bottom peripheral edge of body 34.A separate element 42 is provided, and it includes a tubular portion 43adapted frictionally to be pressed into the portion 37. Portion 43includes a flange 44 that seats against the shoulder formed by recess 40in main body 34. The element 42 includes a bottom 45 (FIG. 5A) having ahole 46 centrally thereof. Slots 47 are provided in bottom 45 so that acertain degree of flexibility is inherent in the arms formed by slots47. With element 42 inserted in the main body member 34, the assemblymay be forced through hole 14 in plate 13, and the can 20 may be forcedupwardly over the lip 39 while at the same time the arms formed by slots47 in bottom 45 grip the central upstanding housing 26 of can 20.

Referring to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, a connector 48 includes a tubular portion49 having axially extending slots 50 spaced about its lower end. Theportion including slots 50 is formed so as to produce a resilient lip51. A series of spaced holes 52 about the upper portion of the connector48 has a wire 53 threaded therethrough, providing a ledge that rests onthe top of plate 13 when the connector is forced through the hole 14therein. When can 20 is forced upwardly into contact with the connector48, the lip 51 contracts and then expands into the re-entrant' angularportion 25 of the cap 24 of can 20. In this embodiment, the holding ofcan 20 is effected by the .lip 51 and by-entrant angular portion 25rather than by means gripping the central upstanding housing 26 of capReferring to FIGS. 9 and 10, a connector 54 includes a tubular portion55 having slots 56 in its lower portion and formed to provide a lip 57similarly as connector 48 is formed. The upper end of tubular portion 55includes a flange 58 that may be attached to plate 13 by rivets 59 orthe like. This embodiment is permanently attached to plate 13, and theapplication of can 20 to the connector 54 is identical to that ofconnector 48.

Although the various features of the improved mechanism have been shownand described in detail to fully disclose several embodiments of theinvention, it will be evident that changes may be made in such detailsand certain features may be used without others without departing fromthe principles of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, an aerosol container having a cupshaped top includinga re-entrant angular portion forming an annular shoulder, saidcup-shaped top having an upstanding protuberance at substantially thecenter thereof which latter communicates with the interior of said eon-.tainer; valve actuating means in said protuberance; a horizontalbracket having a hole therethrough; a connector for attaching saidcontainer to said horizontal bracket, said connector having a tubularbody portion; outwardly directed tab means at the top of said bodyportion extending beyond the diameter of said hole; and inwardlydirected tab means at the bottom of said body portion adapted to engagesaid protuberance, said inwardly directed tab means including toothmeans thereon at their inner surface for gripping said upstandingprotuberance.

2. In combination, a aerosol container having a cupshaped top includinga re-entrant angular portion forming an annular shoulder, saidcup-shaped top having an upstanding protuberance at substantially thecenter thereof which latter communicates with the interior of saidcontainer; valve actuating means in said protuberance; a horizontalbracket having a hole therethrough; a connector for attaching saidcontainer to said horizontal bracket, said connector having a two-partconstruction including a main body portion including flange means at itstop extending outwardly beyond the diameter of the hole in saidhorizontal bracket, and an outwardly extending shoulder near the bottomof said main body portion adapted to fit within said re-entrant angularportion; a tubular element adapted frictionally to be held within thetubular main body portion, said last mentioned element includinginturned tab means adapted to grip said protuberance; and periodicallyoperated means for actuating said valve actuating means.

3. In combination, an aerosol container having a cup-shaped topincluding a re-entrant angular portion forming an annular shoulder, saidcup shaped top having an upstanding protuberance at substantially thecenter thereof which latter communicates with the interior of saidcontainer; valve actuating means in said protuberance; a horizontalbracket having a hole therethrough; a connector for attaching saidcontainer to said horizontal bracket, said connector having a tubularbody portion of a diameter adapted to pass through the hole in saidbracket; axially extending slots spaced about the periphery of thebottom of said body portion, said bottom portion being compressedaxially, forming a resilient shoulder portion adapted to mate with saidreentrant angular portion; spaced holes about the periphery of said bodyportion near the top thereof; and wire means threaded through saidspaced holes providing means adapted to rest on the top of saidhorizontal bracket.

4. In combination, an aerosol container having a cupshaped top includinga re-entrant angular portion forming an annular shoulder, saidcup-shaped top having an upstanding protuberance at substantially thecenter. thereof which latter communicates with the interior of saidcontainer; valve actuating means in said protuberance; a horizontalbracket having a hole therethrough; a connector for attaching saidcontainer to said horizontal bracket, said connector having a tubularbody portion of a diameter adapted to pass through the hole in saidbracket; axially extending slots spaced about the periphery of thebottom of said body portion, said bottom portion being compressedaxially, forming a resilient shoulder portion adapted to mate with saidre-entrant angular portion; spaced holes about the periphery of saidbody portion near the top thereof; wire means threaded through saidspaced holes providing means adapted to rest on the top of saidhorizontal bracket; and periodically operated means for actuating saidvalve actuating means.

5. A connector for an aerosol can and the like comprising incombination, a tubular body portion; axially extending slots spacedabout the periphery of the bottom of said body portion, said bodyportion being compressed axially, forming a resilient outwardlyextending shoulder portion; spaced holes about the periphery of saidbody portion near the top (thereof; and wire means threaded through saidspaced holes.

6. In combination, an aerosol container having a cupshaped top includinga re-entrant angular portion forming an annular shoulder, saidcup-shaped top having an upstanding protuberance at substantially thecenter thereof which latter communicates with the interior of saidcontainer; valve actuating means in said protuberance; a horizontalbracket having a hole ltherethrough; a connector for attaching saidcontainer to said horizontal bracket, said connector having a tubularbody portion of a diameter adapted to pass through the hole in saidbracket; axially extending slots spaced about the periphery of thebottom of said body portion, said bottom portion being compressedaxially, forming a resilient shoulder portion adapted to mate with saidre-entrant angular portion; a flange about the periphery of said bodyportion near the top thereof; and periodically operated means foractuating said valve actuating means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,664,566 4/1928Marchall 8580 2,458,409 1/1949 Paige 8536 2,514,504 7/1950 Moline285-162 2,615,759 10/1952 Becker 8536 X 2,971,382 2/1961 Harris 239- X2,982,989 5/1961 Heyer 36 X 3,036,793 5/1962 Becker 8536 X 3,056,85210/1962 Sachs 8573 X FOREIGN PATENTS 931,342 8/1955 Germany.

ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner.

CHARLES R. CARTER, Examiner.

1. IN COMBINATION, AN AEROSOL CONTAINER HAVING A CUPSHAPED TOP INCLUDINGA RE-ENTRANT ANGULAR PORTION FORMING AN ANNULAR SHOULDER, SAIDCUP-SHAPED TOP HAVING AN UPSTANDING PROTUBERANCE AT SUBSTANTIALLY THECENTER THEREOF WHICH LATTER COMMUNICATES WITH THE INTERIOR OF SAIDCONTAINER; VALVE ACTUATING MEANS IN SAID PROTUBERANCE; A HORIZONTALBRACKET HAVING A HOLE THERETHROUGH; A CONNECTOR FOR ATTACHING SAIDCONTAINER TO SAID HORIZONTAL BRACKET, SAID CONNECTOR HAVING A TUBULARBODY PORTION; OUTWARDLY DIRECTED BEYOND THE DIAMETER OF SAID BODYPORTION EXTENDING BEYOND THE DIAMETER OF SAID HOLE; AND INWARDLYDIRECTED TAB MEANS AT THE BOTTOM OF SAID BODY PORTION ADAPTED TO ENGAGESAID PROTUBERANCE, SAID INWARDLY DIRECTED TAB MEANS INCLUDING TOOTHMEANS THEREON AT THEIR INNER SURFACE FOR GRIPPING SAID UPSTANDINGPROTUBERANCE.